Figure 1.

Infection with oncogenic viruses highlights parallels in cancer and stem cell biology. Oncogenic viruses modulate a variety of cellular pathways with parallel roles in the carcinogenic process and stem cell homeostasis. The parallels between these two processes have been extensively documented, and increasingly well-understood in terms of being able to reprogram cell state. However little has been done in the way of uncovering potential roles of these pathways in infection success. Increasing understanding of common pathways modulated may yield better tools to prevent and treat infection, as well as ensuing carcinogenesis.